Essential Steps To Ensure a Smooth Home Setup for Air Conditioning

Spring is coming up, which is the season everyone loves, but excessive warmth frequently makes it challenging to exist. A good air conditioning system is a must for homeowners to keep themselves and their family members comfortable. Having an air conditioning system at home can make your living space more comfortable and will help in maintaining peace of mind. If you want to make sure that your home has a proper air conditioning setup, follow a few essential steps. In this blog, we'll discuss some important steps that can help you ensure a smooth home setup for air conditioning.

Plan the Installation Location

The first step towards ensuring that your home has a proper air conditioning setup is choosing the right spot for air conditioner installation. An adequate location or suitable position for installing the air conditioning unit can lead to poor performance and additional costs to fix the issues created by poor installation. Always choose a location that has the right amount of airflow, is away from obstructions, and is free from dust or debris. Make sure the unit is not placed in direct sunlight to ensure its longevity and performance.

Consider the Size of the Air Conditioning Unit

Another critical aspect that needs to be considered is the size of the air conditioning unit needed to cool your living space. The size of the unit depends on the size of your home. If the unit is too small, it will have to work hard and may eventually cause more problems or difficulties during warmer months. Conversely, a big unit will use more energy, which may lead to more bills and consume more resources. Make sure you choose the right size of the unit.

Get the Right Air Duct Installed

During the installation process, ensure that your air duct is installed correctly. Improper installation or damaged ducts can lead to the air leaking out of its intended service areas, reducing the overall effectiveness of your air conditioning system. This could also result in poor air distribution, meaning certain areas in your home lack proper cooling. Ensure the air duct is assembled correctly, sealed, and insulated to guarantee effective cooling throughout your home.

Ensure Proper Maintenance of the Air Conditioning Unit

A timely and proper maintenance inspection of your air conditioning unit will help prepare your air conditioning system for optimum performance during the warmer season. This includes cleaning the filters and coils, evaluating wiring and electrical connections, examining refrigerant levels, and ensuring there are no obstructions near the unit. Proper maintenance is significant for any electronic machine. By following regular maintenance checks, one improves the performance and efficiency of the air conditioning unit, reducing the chances of costly damages.

Opt for a Professional Installation and Seek Appropriate Certification

To ensure a proper air conditioning installation at your home, opting for a professional service is always better. House owners who try to install an air conditioning unit on their own may end up damaging various parts, which could lead to costlier repairs down the road. Only trained professionals with proper certification can ensure that the installation is done safely and correctly. Make sure the professional company has certification from a trusted authority, as it demonstrates their expertise.

In conclusion, the above-discussed essential steps will help you ensure a smooth home setup for air conditioning. Having an air conditioning unit at home can make a significant improvement to your home environment, elevating your quality of life by lowering and regulating home temperatures. With these essential tips for setup, you can ensure that your family can indulge in the comfort and freshness provided by your properly functioning air conditioning system. Follow these steps, and you'll be able to enjoy the warmer season comfortably!

Small Bathroom Décor: Versatile Downstairs Bathroom Ideas to Transform Your Space

We partnered with a home design company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

When it comes to refreshing a small downstairs bathroom, space is at a premium, which makes it absolutely imperative that you choose décor capable of improving your tiny toilet’s accessibility, light, sense of spaciousness, and style. 

In this post, we have put together a guide to styling small downstairs bathrooms, wet rooms, shower rooms and toilets, complete with downstairs bathroom ideas for décor – such as installing a range of slimline storage – to help you create the perfect space for family and friends to use.

Let’s find out how to completely transform your bathroom, whatever its size.

Preparing for your downstairs wash closet renovation and redesign

First thing’s first, before we get to the fun part of choosing all-new small bathroom décor it’s important to take a moment to declutter, tidy, and plan for the redesign ahead.

Step 1: Declutter and organize 

Before you can start to imagine what your dream downstairs bathroom might look like, it’s time to crack out the cleaning supplies and roll up your sleeves. Start your small downstairs bathroom redesign by emptying the existing space of all unnecessary clutter, including décor and bathroom furnishings which you don’t plan to keep. 

Next, give your freshly decluttered space a good deep clean. Once the installation of the new downstairs toilet décor is complete, your space will likely need another clean before it’s ready to use. However, cleaning at this point in the planning stage allows you to get a better feel for the space you have to work with.

Step 2: Planning the layout

Depending on whether you’re opting for a quick and classy redesign, or a full-blown renovation, the next step is to plan the layout of the new small downstairs bathroom. Since space is the main issue with any tiny toilet space, time spent here is time (and money) saved further down the line. Below we take a look at a few key aspects of any small bathroom layout.

Pipes and ventilation 

If you’re building a small downstairs bathroom or stripping an existing room to newly fit as a toilet, you’re going to have to think about where the plumbing will go. 

Soil pipes leading away from the toilet are best placed in an outside wall, so if there’s a wall in your downstairs that faces the exterior of the property, this may be the best option for where to place both the toilet and sink. 

Of course, if an exterior wall isn’t an option, a macerator – which breaks down waste so that it can be pumped to your drainage plumbing – will need to be incorporated into the toilet’s installation.

Ventilation in downstairs bathrooms is also fundamental – to help make the space light, airy, smelling fresh and free of moisture build-up, which can quickly lead to mold, damp, and damage.

Dimensions and clearance 

Next, it’s time to dig out your measuring tape. Make careful note of the exact dimensions of your bathroom so that you can reference back to these when choosing your small toilet décor. 

You’ll need to work out not only what can fit where, but also how you and your guests will be able to move in and around any new fittings – in a word, clearance. 

The key to making a small downstairs bathroom feel more spacious than it actually is is to maximize empty space, especially along the floor, so compact fittings and slimline décor are a must.

Accessibility

In line with assessing the dimensions and clearance of your tiny toilet space, it’s worth also considering accessibility for disabled and less mobile family members and friends. 

Whether this is an immediate factor of concern to you or not, it’s worth remembering that we all age – as we get older, our accessibility requirements may change. Make sure your small downstairs bathroom ideas take this into consideration.

Downstairs toilet décor: How to style a small downstairs bathroom

Okay, time already for the exciting part! Choosing small toilet décor need not be stressful. With a huge and versatile range of bathroom furnishings, fittings, décor, and accessories available on today’s home improvement market, there are always options suitable for your space, no matter how tiny it is. 

In addition to choosing your décor, though, there are a few other factors we think it’s important to bear in mind: things like color, material, and lighting. A careful combination of all three could be the difference between a room which feels cramped and uncomfortable, and a small downstairs bathroom you never want to leave.

Color and materials 

One of the joys of styling a small bathroom is that your budget may be able to accommodate materials which would not be cost-effective in a larger space. Marble tiles, for example, look exquisite in small bathrooms, but tend to be more costly than ceramic or porcelain. 

A small downstairs toilet redesign may be the perfect opportunity to welcome some more luxurious and opulent materials into your home. 

To keep a small space feeling big and bright, we recommend opting for a single uniform tile or color scheme. Keeping the color the same throughout avoids the distinct chance of a small bathroom becoming a dizzying eyesore. 

Another top tip, if tiling, is to tile your small downstairs toilet from floor to ceiling. The higher your tiles go, the more they create the illusion of a room much taller than it actually is.

Finally, we’d suggest leaning toward a lighter color scheme than elsewhere in the home. Small rooms by design receive less natural light, so a light-toned waterproof paint or tile can help lift the brightness of the room. 

Lighting 

As we’ve just mentioned, the lighting in small downstairs bathrooms tends to be in short supply. Not all have windows to let in natural light, and those which do tend only to be small. 

A great hack for immediately enhancing the brightness of your toilet is to hang your bathroom mirror on a prominent, well-lit wall. The reflection of light in the mirror – be it natural or electrical – will bounce around the room, helping to lighten the overall feel of the space.

As for small bathroom décor ideas, a backlit mirror is highly recommended. Not only could the mirror’s built-in lights replace other, less space-conscious lighting, but it also serves to create the charming vanity mirror effect which your guests will love. After all, a trip to the home’s smallest bathroom needn’t make you feel like a gremlin – we should be emerging full of the glow of self-confidence in our appearance. 

Fixtures and fittings

Fixtures and fittings is a category of small toilet décor which covers just about everything essential to the function of your bathroom. This includes the toilet, sink, bath and/or shower. 

There’s no getting around the fact that your bathroom fixtures are going to take up a considerable amount of space, which in a small downstairs toilet poses problems. Thankfully, however, there are ways to minimize the impact of these installations whilst maximizing their look and how they complement the overall style of your redesign. 

Floating mount for toilet and sink

The parts of the toilet and sink which occupy the most space are the toilet’s cistern and sink’s plumbing. A crafty way to erase these dimensions from consideration is to wall-mount both fixtures. By hiding the toilet cistern and wash basin’s plumbing within the wall, you can install floating units which not only sit flusher with the wall, but which also sit off of the floor. 

Floor space is the first thing our eyes are drawn to when assessing the openness and spaciousness of any room, so a floating toilet/sink installation is a great small bathroom idea.

Design a wet room

If having the option to wash is a necessity for your small downstairs toilet redesign, then one of the first ideas we’d put forward is to create a wet room. 

A wet room is typically an open plan, fully-tiled (and thus waterproof) room with a shower head and drain occupying one corner or side. Because the room is open plan, there is no need for a space-guzzling shower screen, doors, or glass. 

Of course, if a wet room isn’t your thing, you can still maximize the free space in your small downstairs toilet by opting to install a space-saving corner shower instead of a bath. Bathtubs are big and unruly and not well-suited to small, compact downstairs spaces.

Other small bathroom décor ideas 

Last but not least, let’s look at a few final small toilet décor ideas which don’t neatly fit into the categories explored above.

Heated towel rails

Tall vertical heated towel rails are a godsend for small bathroom designers. By combining bathroom heating with a storage space for your towels, heated towel rails take up half the space their constituent parts otherwise would.

Bathroom cupboards and consoles

Creating the right amount of storage space for you and your family in a small downstairs toilet is a puzzle – a bit like bathroom Tetris! 

We suggest shopping around for integral bathroom fixtures and fittings which have storage built into them. For example, there are plenty of backlit mirrors which also come complete with slim in-built cupboards.

Shelving is also a neat idea, since it can be installed on any wall – at any height which is convenient – and be used to hold anything from toothbrushes and toiletries to houseplants (which will love your bathroom’s humidity!) to candles and photo frames.

For freestanding storage, we recommend opting for an attractive slimline console with open storage space below the tabletop and drawers above. 

Accessories

So you’ve planned the layout of your small downstairs bathroom based on accessibility and style, chosen the perfect fixtures and mounted them in a space-saving way, and have decorated the room with small toilet décor designed to match your color palette and make the room feel big and bright. At long last, it’s time to put the finishing touches on that brand new downstairs bathroom redesign of yours. Take a look at our blog on unmissable bathroom accessories and get inspired!

A few final thoughts on small bathroom décor

Tiny toilets and wee water closets can feel impossible to redesign. Limitations on space and light, not to mention the necessity for large and unwieldy fixtures, make styling a small downstairs bathroom potentially more challenging than any other room in the house. 

Thankfully, there are numerous expert tips, cheats, and hacks out there to help you along the way. Be sure to take your time during the planning stages, considering accessibility needs and the potential for hidden wall-mounts, before shopping for slimline décor which combines storage and style. Finish off with the right light, color, and accessories for the ultimate small downstairs bathroom makeover.

Happy styling!

4 Types of Household Waste That Require Special Handling

When you organize to reduce clutter, you generate waste. That waste needs to go somewhere. Depending on where you live, you probably have a trash collection service that regularly picks up and hauls off the garbage to a landfill. But did you know that not all trash is the same? In fact, some kinds should never reach the landfill due to various hazards and dangers. Here are four types of household waste that require special handling.

Batteries

It never feels quite right to toss away batteries, does it? Even when they run out of power, they’re still hard little metal cylinders filled with chemicals that leak, explode, and generally cause all sorts of havoc in the environment and elsewhere. Don’t throw them away! Set up a case where you can store batteries until you’re ready to dispose of them. A plastic or cardboard box or similar nonconductive container is best. After you’ve filled it, consult your local government about special waste disposal. They may have a program that recycles batteries. Car batteries are especially easy to get rid of. Take them to a mechanic or auto parts store. Most will accept your old battery and recycle it.

Hand Sanitizer

During the pandemic, we saw an uptick in the use of hand sanitizer. That was good for fighting germs but not so great for the ecosystem. The bottles they come in are usually recyclable, but what if there’s some left at the bottom? You may be surprised to learn that sanitizers containing alcohol have the potential to ignite. Therefore, don’t pour any remaining hand sanitizer down the drain. It can catch fire or explode in the presence of other gases. It’s not good for wildlife in general either. Check to see if your town offers a household hazardous waste program, and get rid of old hand sanitizer bottles that way.

Large Appliances

If you didn’t know it already, large appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, hot water heaters, and other big appliances are called white goods (based on the fact that they’re usually colored white, naturally). Unless you have a special once-a-month trash collection in your town, you generally can’t just leave a large appliance out on the curb for pick up. White goods take up space in landfills. They can also contain mercury, freon, PCBs, and other elements and components that can seriously harm the ecosystem and water supply if they leak. Big appliances are best for scrapyards and merchants who take apart and repurpose the metal and other parts.

Grass and Other Yard Waste

Here’s the last of our four types of household waste that require special handling. Cut grass and raked leaves seem harmless, but landfills have banned them since the early 1990s. Decaying landscape waste creates methane, which can explode and catch fire. Consider purchasing a composter and saving lawn waste and vegetable scraps to create healthy soil for a backyard garden. Otherwise, you should call for specific yard waste collection.

The Essential Bathroom Inventory Checklist For Hosts

We partnered with a home design company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

The journey to a memorable guest experience begins with a bedroom and a bathroom ambiance. Every Airbnb host knows the key to happy guests is a stocked home and a flawless bathroom. 

Learn about the bathroom essentials rental hosts must provide for a more fulfilling guest experience. This article covers the bathroom essentials checklist, including cleaning supplies and waste management. 

So, read the ultimate guide for every Airbnb host just starting and say hello to superb guest experiences!

Bath Towels & Linens

Here is a list of bathtub accessories Airbnb hosts should provide for a refined guest experience. 

1. Bath Towels:

Good-quality towels efficiently wick away moisture from the skin after the shower. Bath towels with antimicrobial features combat unpleasant odors, bacteria, and mildew, ensuring your guests maintain cleanliness and health throughout their stay. 

Don’t forget to try Sferra bath sheet. These Turkish bath towel sets are designed to keep guests comfortable after a bath.

2. Face Towels:

Face towels are necessary bathroom essentials in a vacation rental home, providing guests with a dedicated solution for refreshing faces. These also promote cleanliness and incite a positive guest experience.

3. Beach & Pool Towels:

If your property is close to a beach or recreational area, offer beach and pool towels for your guests. These high-quality towels are perfect for drying off after a swim in the ocean. Providing top-notch beach and pool towels at your Airbnb can impact guests' experience.

4. Bath Slippers:

Bath slippers offer a secure, anti-slip solution for guests on wet bathroom floors, ensuring comfort and cleanliness.

5. Hand Towels:

Hand towels can quickly absorb excess water from the hands and let your guests dry off their hands after washing. Hand towels have high utility in the kitchen and bathroom to enhance hygiene. For premium hand towels, look no further than Turkish hand towels for bathroom. They are soft, lightweight, durable, and perfectly wick away moisture from the skin.

Toiletries

Some of the must-have countertop bathroom accessories include

1. Shampoo & Conditioner:

Shampoo cleanses hair and scalp, providing a lighter and voluminous feel, while conditioner nourishes and smoothens hair strands, offering a silky texture. These bathroom essentials revitalize guests' hair at your short-term rental, washing away accumulated dirt and oil after a day of adventure. 

Once you've stocked up on enough shampoo and conditioner bottles for your rental homes, opt for refill packets to minimize environmental impact by reducing the use of single-use plastic.

2. Bar Soap & Body Wash:

Bar soap and body wash are essential for cleansing the body. Bar soap is solid and keeps the skin clean, while body wash, like Dove nourishing milk body wash, is a liquid that gently cleanses and moisturizes all skin types, providing a wholesome bathing experience.

3. Body lotion:

Let your guests pamper themselves with a premium body lotion. It moisturizes & rejuvenates their skin, leaving them feeling refreshed throughout their stay.

4. Hand lotion: 

Pamper your guests with a high-quality hand lotion to ensure clean and hygienic hands throughout their stay.

5. Tissues: 

Tissues are must-have bathroom essentials at every vacation rental home. From wiping hands to cleaning spills and everything in between, tissues enhance overall hygiene for a refined guest experience.

6. Makeup Remover:

Provide a makeup remover in your rental home to let guests easily cleanse their skin, removing makeup and keeping it clean and clear throughout their stay.

7. Tooth Paste & Toothbrush: 

Toothpaste and toothbrush are essential for oral care, working together to remove plaque, prevent cavities, and maintain fresh breath. These vital tools contribute to your guests’ daily dental care routine, promoting healthy teeth and gums for guests at your short-term rental.

8. Mouth Wash:

Provide a good mouthwash for your guests for a refreshing breath and enhanced oral hygiene throughout their stay and beyond.

9. Shaving Kit:

The kit includes shaving cream, gel, razor, and other Airbnb bathroom essentials, ensuring a shaving experience that is both clean and hygienic for your guests.

10. Hair Dryer: 

Encourage your guests to explore various hairstyles by providing a convenient hair dryer. Enhance their experience by offering this useful amenity, allowing them the flexibility to style their hair to their liking throughout their visit.

Cleaning Checklist

For a clean & shining vacation rental home: 

1. All-Purpose Cleaner:  

An all-purpose cleaner are crucial bathroom essentials, elevating hygiene standards in your short-term rental. 

Formulated to effectively remove oil, dirt, and grease without damaging the surfaces, it ensures cleanliness and a well-maintained environment at your Airbnb.

2. Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

It is an essential bathroom cleaning item formulated to ensure your toilet and bathroom are deeply cleaned & smell at their best.

3. Microfiber Cloths:

Microfiber cloths are the ultimate cleaning essentials, perfect for safely cleaning countertops and reflective surfaces without causing any damage. They are versatile, durable, and effective against bacteria, serving as an eco-friendly choice for vacation rental hosts.

4. Broom & Mop: 

It’s simple. Enhance the cleanliness of your rental home with the broom and mop. As guests prioritize cleanliness & hygiene when choosing accommodations, these bathroom essential sets are non-negotiables for every Airbnb.

5. Surface Disinfectant Sprays: 

Surface disinfectant spays are formulated to kill germs on surfaces. It helps Airbnb hosts to maintain a hygienic environment by reducing the spread of infection. Regular use of disinfectant post-cleaning ensures a clean & healthy accommodation for your guests.

6. Shower & Bathtub Drain Catch:

A drain catch, or a hair catcher, is placed in drains to prevent hair, debris, and other particles from clogging the pipes. It helps maintain proper drainage in sinks and showers, reducing the risk of blockages and the need for plumbing maintenance in your vacation rental.

7. Laundry Detergent: 

Laundry detergent is an integral cleaning product in washing machines to remove dirt stains from clothes and linens while preserving the fibers. It helps guests easily preserve their clothing during their stay, promoting convenience and cleanliness.

8. Toilet Brush:

A toilet brush thoroughly cleans your Airbnb bathroom’s toilet bowl. Pair it with a suitable toilet cleaner to remove dirt and germs from your toilet bowl, ensuring a clean and fresh bathroom.

9. Plunger:

In a busy vacation rental, guests might face unexpected plumbing issues. A plunger lets them quickly handle minor clogs, promoting a self-sufficient and fulfilling guest experience.

10. Air Freshener:

An air freshener is one of the most necessary Airbnb bathroom essentials, offering a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. Whether used in bathrooms or bedrooms, air fresheners help eradicate odors and create a welcoming environment for guests.

Waste Management

1. Garbage Cans 

Garbage cans keep your rental home clean & hygienic. Ensure you buy one with a lid to prevent the invasion of insects and mosquitoes and the spread of bad odor.

2. Garbage Covers: 

The trash cover is placed around the garbage can to gather and dispose of all waste, keeping the trash can clean and maintaining overall hygiene.

3. Tissue Box Cover: 

A tissue box is an Airbnb essential that provides quick access to tissues for various needs. A tissue box ensures guests can readily access tissues for wiping hands, handling spills, or minor cleaning tasks. 

Without them, guests may use hand towels for all purposes, potentially increasing your costs.

Miscellaneous 

1. Shower Curtains:

Shower curtains provide privacy in the bath and prevent the water from wetting the bathroom surface. While sliding doors can serve the purpose, they can’t be easily cleaned & maintained. In such cases, shower curtains become the most preferable option.

2. Hooks & Holders:

Hooks and holders are essential organizers in your vacation rental, providing convenient storage solutions for towels, robes, and other toiletries. 

These simple additions enhance the bathroom's functionality, keeping the space tidy and ensuring guests easily access their bathtub accessories. Hooks and holders also contribute to a well-organized and comfortable stay.

3. Bath Mat or Rug:

Absorbs excess water from the feet. Wet bathrooms have slippery floors. In some cases, your guests may slip after bathing and get injured. These mats will prevent them from slipping, absorb excess water from the body, and also regulate body temperature. It is a must-have item in your bathroom essentials checklist to enhance the safety of the bathing space.

4. Soap Dispenser:

Enables users to access fresh liquid with each pump. The liquid soap dispenser offers a convenient handwashing solution, effectively preventing the spread of bacteria and infection.

5. Toilet Paper:

Toilet paper rolls are must-have bathroom essentials for every vacation rental home to ensure your guests a comfortable and hygienic stay.

6. Clear Instruction Manual:

An instruction manual serves as a crucial guide for guests during check-in, providing vital information on property rules, do’s and don’ts, and guidelines for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. 

It ensures a smooth stay, contributing to a positive and informed guest experience in your vacation rental.

Conclusion 

A well-stocked bathroom is the secret to exceptional hosting. The provided bathroom essentials checklist ensures hosts create a welcoming space with premium toiletry items, lines, and anti-slip bath slippers. 

Attention to cleanliness adds to the positive guest experience. Hosts prioritizing these bathroom essentials leave a lasting impression on your guests. 

Happy hosting!